Systematic Sclerosis

Below you will find more information about Systematic Sclerosis from Medigest. If you believe that you are suffering from any of the symptoms of Systematic Sclerosis it is important that you obtain an accurate diagnosis from a medical professional to ensure that you obtain the correct medication or treatment for your condition. There are medical conditions that carry similar symptoms associated with Systematic Sclerosis and therefore the information provided by Medigest is offered as a guideline only and should never be used in preference to seeking professional medical advice. The information relating to Systematic Sclerosis comes from a third party source and Medigest will not be held liable for any inaccuracies relating to the information shown.

Definition

Scleroderma is a chronic disease marked by excessive deposits of collagen in the skin or other organs. The localized type of the disease, while disabling, does not tend to be fatal. The systemic type or systemic sclerosis, the generalized type of the disease, can be fatal as a result of heart, lung, kidney, or intestinal damage autoimmune disease.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is by clinical suspicion, presence of autoantibodies (specifically anti-centromere and anti-scl70/anti-topoisomerase antibodies) and sometimes by biopsy.

Treatment

Different treatment regimens are available for SSC. The therapeutic approach depends on the presentation of the disease and complexity of its symptoms.

Symptoms and Signs

Cutaneous symptoms, often linked or preceded by Raynaud's phenomenon and arthralgias of the fingers, are usually early signs in the course of SSc and therefore helpful for establishing the diagnosis and initiating therapy.

Causes

There is no clear obvious cause for systemic sclerosis. Genetic predisposition appears to be limited: genetic concordance is small; still, there is usually a familial predisposition for autoimmune disease. Polymorphisms in COL1A2 and TGF-?1 may influence severity and progression of the disease.